OTTB on Tap
by Niamh O'Connell and Emily Kocubinski
A podcast about all things related to Off Track Thoroughbreds, written and produced by Emily Kocubinski and Niamh O'Connell
Podcast episodes
Season 1
Ep 32: OTTB Underdog Stories: Brian & Bombino's Midlife Eventing Adventure
What happens when an army officer who has never ridden a horse (but has jumped out of planes) marries an event rider? He starts eventing, of course! In the first installment of our newest series, “OTTB Underdog Stories,” we explore how Brian Roberts began riding just over three years ago, taking on an OTTB with a tricky reputation. Now a successful training level eventing pair, Brian and his OTTB, Bombino, are a fixture at Area 2 events. We discuss his journey, from his first trip to the tack shop for a “riding starter kit” to learning about Bombino’s signature move at their first event. We also delve into how the most talented horses can also be the quirkiest. Through it all, the partnership of Brian and Bombino shines through. We appreciate Brian’s fresh perspective on horses, his experience starting a challenging new sport later in life, and his humorous outlook on life. We hope you will join us for this fun episode!
Ep 31: Creating a Good Citizen: A Boutique Reseller Shares Her Approach with OTTBs
Special Guest June Hillman shares the legacy of Castle Rock Farm, her partnership with Thoroughbred aftercare organization Turning for Home, and so much more in this episode! June is no stranger to Thoroughbreds - she is part of their entire lifecycle, from conception to foal, racehorse to OTTB restart. She has been the manager of Castle Rock Farm in West Chester, PA since 1995 and has handled TB stallions such as Patton, Harry the Hat, Partner's Hero, Power by Far, Awad, Alyten, and Rimrod. The farm breeds and raises about 10-15 baby racehorses each year nowadays, and June handles them from the moment they are born, helping to shape them into what she affectionately calls "Good Citizens." This is especially helpful when they return after their racing careers and June transitions them into their new homes as sporthorses. She is also partnered with Turning for Home, a racehorse retirement program based out of Pennsylvania's Parx Racetrack. Through TFH, June rehabilitates, retrains, and rehomes many OTTBs each year. She prides herself in taking the time to learn about each horse as an individual, and carefully place them in appropriate homes. In this episode, we also talk about how no horse is perfect, and often those with blemishes, old injuries, or the need for a little maintenance gets them passed over by potential new homes. We highlight a current OTTB that June is retraining, "Angel" or Angeli Blu, a 2019 bay TB gelding by Air Force Blue (War Front/Danzig) out of the Irish TB Cabin (Galileo/Sadler's Wells). Angel is the type of horse that you just want to ride every day! June can be contacted through her Facebook page, where she also posts her horses for sale. You can find about Angel in his ad here. (Shameless plug by host Emily, who adores this horse!) #turningforhome #ottb #offtrackthoroughbred #underdog #ottbreseller #ottbforsale
Ep 30: "More Magnawave Please!": An Adult Ammy and her OTTB take on Lucinda Green, Alternative Communication, Rider Anxiety & more!
Ep 30: "More Magnawave Please!": An Adult Ammy and her OTTB take on Lucinda Green, Alternative Communication, Rider Anxiety & more!
Join us for a bit of a mashup episode! We bring back Taylor Cusack, who was a guest on Ep 17: OTTB on Tap Clinic Recap: Riding OTTBs with Olympian William Fox-Pitt with her charismatic OTTB, CV’s Eventing Rebellion, or “Darcy” as he is known to his friends. Taylor has been hitting all the clinic high notes this year, by adding Lucinda Green to her resume. We get her take on Lucinda’s famous ‘Ready for Trouble’ position and how it has helped her center her riding, even though she still has a strange fear of jumping tiny fences. For someone who has only been riding for 4 years, she has accomplished so much! Next, we take a deep dive into the realm of animal communication and discover what exactly Darcy thinks of his owner/mom/rider/best friend! Finally we discuss the sensitive topic of rider anxiety and how it was impacting Taylor’s performance at shows. She discusses why she made the decision to take a step back from competing at one-day events that have all three phases of eventing (dressage, cross country, and show jumping) in one day, and focus on less pressure-filled situations. As we like to say, “This is supposed to be fun right?” We hope you enjoy this episode and enjoy the deep connection Taylor and Darcy share.
Ep 29: ‘Horse Before the Course’ with Kathy Goodman
Buckle up for a positively fun episode with special guest Kathy Goodman! In Horse Before the Course, OTTB on Tap speaks with Kathy about 4 seemingly separate, yet intertwined topics: Pressure Proof Clinics that challenge your “mental RAM” and teach ways to tap into your inner super power and perform under pressure USDF “L” Judging Program - how learning to judge dressage has transformed Kathy as a rider and trainer (spoiler alert: learn tips straight from the judge’s mouth!) RRP Makeover: Kathy is training not one but two OTTBs for this year’s Makeover: Baltimore Babe (from Mareworthy) and Sgt Reckless USMC (from After the Races) - learn about training OTTBs at liberty! (and dressage) Mareworthy: Kathy is also on the board of Mareworthy, a charity specifically geared towards rehabilitating and rehoming (when appropriate) OTTB mares, ex-broodmares in particular! To meet Kathy is to immediately feel comfortable with her friendly, candid, and thoughtful approach. Her enthusiasm for OTTBs (and all horses) is contagious. A lifelong ‘crazy horse girl’ with a background in eventing, hunter/jumpers, and even some western thrown in, Kathy also is a graduate of the Pressure Proof program, started by Dan Stewart, and teaches clinics regularly. We also chat about her adventures in becoming a dressage judge, and her two OTTBs that she is retraining for the RRP Makeover. She is a passionate supporter of OTTB aftercare, and talks about a new program called Mareworthy Match to help pair potential adopters with OTTB mares. Not looking to adopt an OTTB at this time? That’s fine! Mareworthy has also created a Pasture Pals program, where for a small monthly donation, you can help support a worthwhile cause. Check out ottbontap.com for more photos, OTTB pedigree information, to subscribe to our newsletter, and more! Notable links from this episode: Learn more about Pressure Proof and book a clinic with Kathy! All about Mareworthy Get matched with a Mareworthy OTTB Kathy can also be reached on Instagram @Pressure.Proof; Pressure Proof or Katherine Goodman on Facebook
Ep. 28: Catch Riding an OTTB 'Under Pressure'
OTTB on Tap had the good fortune of attending a Pressure Proof clinic at the After the Races facility in Elkton, MD on June 15. Taught by Kathy Goodman, Niamh jumped at the opportunity to catch ride one of the adoptable ATR horses, Some is Nine. “Nine” is a 6 year old Thoroughbred mare by Super Ninety Nine out of an Awesome Again mare. She came to After The Races in partnership with Beyond The Wire. In this episode, we find out about Niamh and Emily’s impressions of the Pressure Proof training session, which Niamh described as “HIIT exercises for your brain” and how this has practical applications to both everyday riding and competition. Stay tuned for an upcoming episode about the clinician and OTTB enthusiast, Kathy Goodman, and her involvement not only with the Pressure Proof system, but Mareworthy, the RRP Makeover, and also her road to becoming a dressage judge. For more information about After the Races, a 501c(3) Thoroughbred aftercare organization, please give a listen to Episode 10, OTTB Aftercare Spotlight: After the Races. where we interviewed ATR’s founder, Bonnie McRae. Check out ottbontap.com for lots of clinic photos, to subscribe to our newsletter, and more!